Emotional irritation before mental stress is associated with enhanced peripheral norepinephrine

Research suggests equivocal findings on associations of catecholamines and mood. Our study investigated the associations of emotional state, blood pressure and catecholamines in 55 healthy males undergoing mental stress. We especially checked the reported link between norepinephrine (NE) and emotion...

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Published in:Scandinavian journal of psychology 2007-12, Vol.48 (6), p.459-466
Main Authors: WEBER, CORA STEFANIE, THAYER, JULIAN F., RUDAT, MIRIAM, PERSCHEL, FRANK HOLGER, BUCHHOLZ, KONRAD, DETER, HANS CHRISTIAN
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
anxiety
Blood Pressure - physiology
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
Emotional irritation
epinephrine
Expressed Emotion
Female
Heart Rate - physiology
Humans
Irritable Mood
Male
mental stress
norepinephrine
Norepinephrine - metabolism
Norepinephrine - physiology
Stress, Psychological - psychology
Time Factors
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Summary:Research suggests equivocal findings on associations of catecholamines and mood. Our study investigated the associations of emotional state, blood pressure and catecholamines in 55 healthy males undergoing mental stress. We especially checked the reported link between norepinephrine (NE) and emotional irritation. Blood pressure (SBP, DBP) and heart rate (HR) were continuously monitored. NE and epinephrine (EPI) were measured before, after, and 20 minutes after stress. Participants were divided into irritated versus non‐irritated and anxious versus non‐anxious subjects by median split on their baseline questionnaires. The task elicited significant cardiovascular, hormonal, and psychological stress responses. NE levels were significantly correlated with irritation before stress. Irritated subjects showed significantly higher DBP and NE than non‐irritated subjects. The higher NE and DBP levels in the irritated participants suggest detrimental psycho‐physiological interrelations promoting the development of stress‐mediated cardiovascular diseases. Heightened emotional irritation before stress may be regarded as a psychological risk factor.
ISSN:0036-5564
1467-9450
DOI:10.1111/j.1467-9450.2007.00612.x